Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB895 by Seliger (Relating to limits on the size of prekindergarten classes in public schools.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would limit class enrollment in prekindergarten classes to no more than 22 students beginning with the 2007-08 school year. To meet this requirement, the Texas Education Agency estimates that school districts would need to hire an estimated 152 additional teacher full-time equivalents. Increases in total payroll have implications for the state's required contribution to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS). Assuming a 6 percent contribution rate, additional state TRS contributions associated with the provisions of the bill are estimated to be $294,000 annually. If the state contribution rate for TRS were increased, state TRS costs associated with the bill would increase accordingly.
Local Government Impact
It is estimated that 152 additional teacher full-time equivalents would be required to meet the 22-student class size limit. Costs associated with salary and benefits for the additional teachers are estimated to be $6.5 million annually. The Texas Education Agency indicates that additional costs for facilities cannot be reasonably estimated with available data.